Sister of Clutha helicopter pilot heartbroken at ‘veiled allegations’ her brother caused disaster

THE sister of Clutha pilot David Traill has revealed she is heartbroken at “veiled allegations” her brother caused the helicopter tragedy.

In an emotional outpouring on Facebook, Evelyn Mitchell desperately appeals for a “helicopter pilot or aviation engineer” to help explain the bombshell report into the crash.

She says the appeal “is the last thing I have left to give him”, and adds: “The veiled allegation that my brother was the cause of the Clutha crash that killed nine and left many injured and more emotionally wounded is totally unacceptable.”

Investigators have revealed the ex-RAF serviceman failed to land the police helicopter despite five warnings it was starved of fuel.

According to the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) report, the highly experienced 51-year-old pilot flew on for at least 16 minutes despite a series of cockpit alerts.

But in a heartfelt defence of her brother, Evelyn reveals “David was a wonderful pilot and man” who would have done everything in his power to avoid a catastrophe. “My heart feels shredded,” she said. “David did not cause this crash. He was a more than capable pilot and valuer of human life.

“You’d better believe he would have done everything in his power to save his companions and avoid the devastation that followed.

“I’m sorry for everyone who only had supposition, not true answers, and my brother is an easy scapegoat as he is not here to answer.

“But those who knew him and flew with him know that this is both ridiculous and cruel.”

AAIB experts said, while they had been able to piece together “the mechanics” of the fateful journey, the bereaved families may never get the answers they are looking for.

Their painstaking probe went on to reveal Mr Traill did not follow strict procedures for the Eurocopter EC135, which should have seen him carry out a controlled landing.

However, without a back box flight recorder, the AAIB could not explain why a pilot with 5,500 flying hours did not do what his training demanded.

Mr Traill was killed along with crewmates PC Tony Collins, 43, and PC Kirsty Nelis, 36, when their helicopter plunged into Glasgow’s Clutha bar on November 29 2013.

Pub customers John McGarrigle, 57, Mark O’Prey, 44, Gary Arthur, 48, Colin Gibson, 33, Robert Jenkins, 61, Samuel McGhee, 56 and Joe Cusker, 59, also died.

John McGarrigle Jr, 40, said: “We have been left with far too many unanswered questions.” Although David Traill had 5,500 flying hours, the report said he did not follow procedures and should have carried out a controlled landing.

Rescue workers attend the scene of the crash (Jeff J. Mitchell / Getty Images)Government ‘must act soon’ on black boxesTHE UK Government have been urged to implement the recommendations from the AAIB Clutha crash report swiftly.

Scottish Justice Secretary Michael Matheson wants to see all emergency helicopters fitted with black box flight recorders to help prevent future tragedies.

Experts who carried out the investigation into the accident have conceded the lack of flight data and voice recordings from the cockpit means the cause of the crash may never be known.

Mr Matheson said: “While the report sets out the factual circumstances of the accident, it is disappointing that, after two years, the report does not reach a clearer conclusion and raises more questions than it answers.

“Scottish Ministers share the profound disappointment of the families that it does not provide the closure they sought.

“The report makes a number of recommendations including requiring all police and emergency medical helicopters currently in use to be fitted with equipment to record data, audio and images with flight recorders fitted in aircraft certified after January 1, 2018.

“These ‘black boxes’ can be vital in establishing all the circumstances and actions leading to a crash.”

Mr Matheson admitted there was red tape which made the proposals harder to implement, but insisted it needed to be done.

He added: “I appreciate these are recommendations made to the European Aviation Safety Agency as the legislative authority and the Civil Aviation Authority as the UK Regulator.

“However, on behalf of the families who lost loved ones, I would seek reassurance that the UK Government will do all that is within its power to ensure that these recommendations are taken forward as quickly as possible.”